EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Three games.

That’s how long it took until Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo was asked if he would consider making a change at quarterback.

Mayo let rookie Drake Maye finish Thursday night’s 24-3 shellacking at the hands of the Patriots’ AFC East-rival Jets. The rookie was 4-of-8 for 22 yards with two carries for 12 yards. He was also sacked twice after starter Jacoby Brissett went 12-of-18 for 98 yards with five sacks.

Related Articles

Callahan: Patriots’ huge talent deficit exposed in Jets loss and 4 more Week 3 thoughts

Patriots look as bad as initially predicted in 24-3 loss to Jets

Patriots land 23 ex-players on initial Pro Football Hall of Fame 2025 ballot

How Patriots plan to replace injured linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley

Jerod Mayo provides update on Patriots injured WR Kendrick Bourne

“I thought it was a good opportunity for him to go out there with the ones and put a few drives together, move the ball,” Mayo said. “We’ll watch the film and evaluate.”

Does that mean that Mayo would consider a change at quarterback with the 49ers next on the schedule?

“I don’t know. We talk about it every single week, you’re competing for a job. So, we’ll get together as a coaching staff and see how it goes,” Mayo said.

That’s not a no.

Brissett won the Patriots’ starting quarterback job even after Mayo acknowledged that Maye had been outplaying him at the end of training camp and preseason. It’s hard to fault Brissett for the Patriots’ 1-2 record and anemic passing performance since he’s constantly under pressure.

NextGenStats had the Patriots’ offensive linemen allowing 22 pressures on 35 dropbacks Thursday night.

But Brissett also isn’t elevating the offense. He completed just one deep pass all game on five attempts. He also drew a pass interference penalty on a deep pass to Tyquan Thornton.

Maye was nearly picked off on his first career passing attempt. He settled down, made one 11-yard play with his legs, and his longest pass was a 15-yarder to wide receiver DeMario Douglas.

“Obviously, not the first time you want to be out there in a blowout loss, but at the same time, just wanted to go out there and try to make some plays and have some fun,” Maye said. “Good chance to watch my first action ever. Felt a little nervous going out there, but what a night with the crowd, the kind of atmosphere to kind of get my first game under my belt. …

“I think you can’t take stupid sacks. We’re trying the quick game, trying to get the ball out. Can’t take sacks in that situation. At the same time, got some first downs, moved the chains, made a play with my feet, hit Pop over the middle, so some good things to look at at the same time. Gotta watch the tape.”

Mayo said he gave some thought to not exposing his rookie quarterback to an offensive line that struggled more and more as the game went along.

It’s something to consider further if the Patriots are seriously thinking about starting Maye in a game. Brissett took hard shots from the Jets’ pass rushers and was having a more and more difficult time getting up as the game went along.

The last thing the Patriots need is to get Maye injured.

“In the second half, I felt like our offensive line, they just weren’t playing the way they were in earlier parts of the game,” Mayo said. “It definitely was something that I thought of personally, but at the same time, I thought it was too good of an opportunity for him to get out there and get some experience.”

Maye did say that he prepares for every game as if he’s the starter and would be ready to go if called upon.

“That’s kind of what I’m doing week in, week out, being ready when my name is called, when my number’s called, go out there and try to make some plays,” Maye said. “At the same time, I’ve been there for Jacoby. He battled tonight. He kept on getting up every time, jogging off, encouraging guys on the sideline. He made some great throws tonight.”